The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-12-17

the boy whom he had known onl, for the
first yeal of his life home to-Margaret
would not think further She would close
her heart to all other utterance than
thoughts OF Rosie.
She loved this child-her dead sisters
child. The babe had come into her life ~
a time when all around her was shroudcd
in gloom. In the renunciation of a fond
hope she had turned TO the little stranger
for solace and comfort. Rosie had been
like stray ray of sunlight in the darkened
room. TO Margaret il seemed as if she
we're now her very own. She had spelled
the child, perhaps, but she was so winsome
a creature she could not punish her for her
trining offences, After a while a mother
love crept into her heart, and she was not
like an old maid. A sweetness crept into
her life, feeling of sacred trust. The bit
terness vanished, and when Major Cole re-
turned for a brief visit, to leave his little
son with his mother, Margaret was ready
TO give the little one portion Of her heart.
The boy had loyed her from the time he
had begun to distinguish faces.
The hand of an infinite destiny had
shaped their lives. IL was not Margaret's 5
desire to have the two young people thlown
together, but they met and naturally fell
in love as the thousands have done before
them, and no one knew the pain theil loyc-
making had caused her.
She schooled herself to meet the Major
this time, and externally at least was calm.
His coming was deferred from time to time,
so when at last he called upon her she was
prepared o betray 10 emotion.
lie was handsome man of forty-live
who had seen only the bright side of life.
Yet, used AS he was to society, his manner
-bn, hf AIo,, lao
had meat to be formal, but when she went
forward to meet him she seemed so little
changed, so like the Margaret of old, that
the blood rushed to his face and he stam-
mered out;
"Miss Mar-Margaret!
"Wiliam," she said calmly as if the ut
terance caused her no effort, "you will let
me welcome you to my home again and
Rosie" here she turned and drew forward
the blushing girl who was seeking shelter
behind her lover Rosie has been eager for
your coming,"'
Then they sat down; the four gathered
around the bright fire, and talked of COM
mon-places; but at last the conversation
drifted into other channels, and then they
talked eff old times and old friends.
When Harry and the Major left there
was rose blush upon Margsret's cheek
girl, and Rosie, thoughtless child, ex-
claimed:
"Why, auntie, you look like school girl
YOU are beautiful tonight. What if the
Major should fall in love with you. | wish
he would"
After that the Major came frequently
too often, Harry sometimes thought, when
he longed to have his little love alone for a
while. Still he had kiss on the sly some
times, and if the Major saw he wisely pre-
tended blindness.
The young peoples wedding was 10 take
place ON New Years Day, and the inter.
vening time, from the Christmas holidays
was to be full of merrymaking.
They were to follow the time-honored
custom of burning the Iule log, and Harry
| anxious to do something to please Rosie
| had secured the woods and brought in thu
mistletoe, and the eve before Christmas tn,
| Major came over to help them trim with il
There were evergreens and holly with shin
| ing leaves, twincd into garlands, but th,
mistetoe was TO form the Lovers Arch.
Now, remember" Harry said, "who
ever goes under il must pay the forfeit"
The Major looked at Margaret, a twinkle
| in his black eye. 'liill you remembcIY
he asked.
| For the first time Margaret betrayed con
| fusion, TO cover which she framed an eX
cuse to leaye the room.
| "Auntie isn't herself, OF late-she Seems
so distracted" said Rosie.
She stepped backward as she said this
and stood directly under the mistetoe
Quick as flash the Major had snatched
kiss from her pretty lips.
| Margaret entered again just then, an,
| Major Cole became so embarrassed that th,
| laugh was upon the other side
''Father is renewing his boyhood again.
said Harry.
Later on when the others were engaged
elsewhere, Margaret, returning to the par
| lor for something, noticed that a part o
the mistletoe had become disarranged. Sh,
could scarcely touch 1t when standing oil
tip-toe, so she brought a low stool, and
reaching up, replaced il. The work wa
Just completed when the Major entered
Margaret was looking her sweetest. Sh'
was flushed with excitement, and her darl
blue dress, with It's finish of soft white lace
was very becoming She was indeed q
tempting sight, which the Major could NO
resist He went toward her, and suddenly
grasping her hands, said with more energy
than was his want to throw into his tone:
Margaret, you are directly under Tho
mistletoe; may claim the forfeitr
The blood rushed into her face, then re
ceded, leaving her white and cold. She
would have drawn back, but he held hel
firmly where she Stood An angry flush
mounted TO her cheek. How dared h'
after all-after all that had BEEN"
But the Major either could or world mo-
see, and drawing her closer, vet keeping
her still under the magic mistletoe, gave
her hearty kiss
A ringing laugh from the doorway, ant
Harry and Rosie rushed in with evident de
light expressed upon their countenances.
"Oh Auntie, If only you could be per
suaded TO take pity upon fathers lonliness
he needs some one like you" said Rosie
and Harry took Margaret's hand that nov
lap cold and trembling in his.
The Major stood silent. How could h,
tell her that he loved her-had loved he
all through the years past and gone? liz
had caused her pain then, and could sh,
believe him now? Perhaps she had no
quiteforgiven his unreasonable anger which
had parted them.
Margaret was dropping as the lilly droop
from the storm, but for her il was show
er of memories. She looked up and thei
eyes met. Perhaps he read there the secre
she had striYen to hide. The years fell ava,
one by one. He was a youth, she was
fair young girl. He loved her. He bel,
out his arms saying: "Margie, ] want you?'
She hesitated. A woman's pride prid
was at steak, but Rosie crept to her an,
whispered, ''Think, auntie, how lonely yol
will be when | am gone"
Once more the Major spoke, "Marge,
love YOU"
The same sweet name; no one else hal
ever called her by 1t; she very words he ha,
used over twenty years before His arm
were still extended, he waited for her, AM
Margaret going into them was folded clos
to his heart.
y She had found her resting place at last